RS-LD GOVERNORS 3 LAST

advertisement

PTI

August 4, 2016

UPDATED: August 4, 2016 20:40 IST

Sukhendu Sekhar Roy (Trinamool Congress) sought review of Sukhendu Sekhar Roy (Trinamool Congress) sought review of the appointment of Governors and demanded putting in place of eligibility and qualification criteria for selection. This is necessary as recent developments in Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh prove that some Governors have "acted as agents," he said. "Article 157 of the Constitution deals with the appointment of a Governor and this must be reviewed. The qualification should be provided," he said. He also sought review of the Article 356 even as he observed that the ruling party was giving "uncanny respect" to the Constitution. CPI leader D Raja said the question is being now raised that why do we need a Governor. He urged upon all political parties to ensure that Article 356 of the Indian Constitution should remain as "dead letter". Dilip Tirkey (BJD) said the smaller parties have been most affected by the Article 356. He said what happened in Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand has put a question mark on federal structure. Congress leader Anand Sharma, while initiating the debate, said what happened in the two states was a "brazen violation of Constitution" and "insult to democracy". "What happened in Arunachal late last year followed by Uttarakhand in Janauary this year shocked the country and invited censure of the Supreme Court and High Court of Uttarakhand," he said. Questioning the role of Governors, the former minister said he or she is "not supposed to interfere in day-to-day functioning...take unilateral decisions... Constitution was not respected...It is insult to peoples mandate." Citing the developments in both the states, he said Governors do not meddle in politics or undermine elected governments but "brazen violation of constitution" occured in both the states. He alleged that the Governors in both the states "willingly became tools to pursue nefarious agenda of the ruling party". Citing the Supreme Court orders on the dismissal of governments in these two states, Sharma asked why no action was taken against Uttarakhand Governor. "Sack that Governor. Remove him. If he continues to hold the post you are insulting constitution," Sharma said. "What happened was shameful. The government conduct was outrageous... Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks of constitutional federalism...At the same time ruling party president talks of Congress-mukt Bharat...that is the official position of the ruling party and its national executive...this is insult to democracy and misuse of authority to destabilise elected governments," Sharma charged. Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu intervened to say that it is "the Devil quoting the scriptures". This was objected to by the Congress after which Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said he will examine whether it fell under unparliamentary language. Naidu said, "Issue is ...does the Congress party have any moral right to raise this. It has misused Article 356 at least 90 to 100 times...Such party is giving sermons." PTI NAM AKK AKK

This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.

Get real-time alerts and all the news on your phone with the all-new India Today app. Download from